Residents of several southeastern Massachusetts towns, specifically Abington, Rockland, Pembroke, Hanson, and Whitman, are currently under a boil water advisory following the detection of E. coli and total coliform bacteria in the public water supply, as reported by Boston25News. Lindsay Wright, director of Public Health and Emergency Management, confirmed in a statement that due to this contamination, the towns' residents must boil their water before consumption.
While most of Hingham is not impacted, residents on Abington Street near the Rockland line are affected by this boil water order, a situation which the Abington-Rockland Joint Water Works has reported may persist for, possibly 48 to 72 hours until the issue is resolved; in the meantime, those affected should use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, cooking, and even brushing teeth, while food, ice, and beverages prepared with tap water since last Wednesday, May 14 should be discarded, this according to directives given by the health officials and shared by CBS News Boston.
Although the water contamination event has raised concerns over potential health risks associated with E. coli and coliform bacteria, health authorities have quickly guided residents on how to handle the situation. The Abington Health Department stressed the seriousness of the situation and the urgency of the response via a Facebook post.
The presence of E. coli and total coliform bacteria which are not uncommon in the environment, can however, become a significant cause for alarm when they appear in the public water supply, given some strains can cause serious illness, with symptoms varying from stomach cramps to fever and may manifest anytime between three to ten days following exposure; if you suspect you've fallen ill due to contaminated water, seek medical help, the Cleveland Clinic advises
For more detailed instructions during the boil water order, residents are advised to refer to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection which offers a fact sheet on their website. Updates regarding the lift of the boil water order will be communicated directly to the residents.
